Ex-Heat draft pick Cook finds Oklahoma City a good fit

OKLAHOMA CITY — — Former Heat guard Daequan Cook enjoyed his time in Miami, but says he's more comfortable these days in Oklahoma City.

Cook said he's able to focus in the smaller city and slower-paced environment. He's reached a comfort zone with his new team, something he may have never experienced with the Heat.

"For me, I was able to get out of there, and put in a better, I mean another, situation," Cook said. "I was able to settle myself down and get myself focused, knowing this year was a big year for me and knowing how important it was to get on the right track."

The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Cook with the 21st pick in the 2007 NBA Draft before trading him to the Heat on the same day. Cook had his moments in Miami, scoring a career-high 27 points against Phoenix in 2009 and winning the 3-point competition All-Star Weekend.

But after the last season, he was a casualty of Heat president Pat Riley wanting to rebuild the team. The Heat traded Cook and their first-round pick to the Thunder for a second-round choice. The moved freed up more than $5 million in salary-cap space, allowing the Heat to re-sign Dwyane Wade and acquire free agents Chris Bosh and LeBron James.

Although he called his time in Miami a "great experience," he said the move was for the better. Cook has struggled to earn minutes with the Thunder, playing just nine games. He's averaged 2.7 points, but did score nine points in 23 minutes Friday against the Washington Wizards. The playing time was a result of Thabo Sefolosha being out with a sprained knee.

"He had a good, key assist at the end of the game to Russell [Westbrook]," Thunder forward Jeff Green said. "I think that kind of built up his confidence, especially after sitting for so long and helping us get a good win [Friday]. Now he's going against his former team and hopefully he continues to shoot the ball well."